Seal the Deal, Geneva Closes Out Regular Season in Style

Pittsburgh, PA - Don′t tell the Geneva College volleyball team it didn′t have anything to play for on Thursday night. Despite already having the Presidents′ Athletic Conference regular season title wrapped up, the Golden Tornadoes had unfinished business to attend to in the regular season finale against Chatham University. The Golden Tornadoes picked up their tenth straight victory to close out the regular season with a 3-1 decision over the Cougars by game scores of 19-25, 25-20, 25-13, 25-9. The victory moved Geneva′s overall record to 22-7 including a very impressive 17-1 mark in conference action.

Starting the match with several starters watching from the bench, Geneva watched Chatham take the first game before the regulars were reinserted into the line-up for the rest of the match. Following the game one loss, Geneva got its high powered offense in gear with Maggie Bowersox leading the attack with 12 kills on just 17 swings. Erin Smith added 11 kills and four blocks while Kristland McCracken and Ashley Davis combined for 19 kills of their own. McCracken also pitched in with 18 digs while Deanna Briody finished with 29 assists.

Geneva will head to Mt. Vernon Nazarene on Friday to compete in the NCCAA East regional tournament with a bid to the national tournament in December on the line. The Golden Tornadoes will face Houghton and Roberts Wesleyan in pool play on Friday before the elimination rounds begin on Saturday. Geneva will get back to NCAA fun next week when it will host the Presidents′ Athletic Conference semi-finals beginning next Friday night.

Geneva will receive a first round bye as seeds 3-6 will face off on Tuesday for the right to join the Golden Tornadoes at Metheny Fieldhouse. Geneva will play semi-final match number one next Friday night beginning at 6 pm with the second semi-final scheduled for eight. The two winners will meet in the PAC title match set for next Saturday at 4 pm.